Character Education

My personal philosophy regarding the teaching of character in curriculum is simple. I believe that schools and curriculum are filled with opportunities to display good character and virtues. We, as educators, display character each and every day in the classroom; including the online settings where I now teach. I don’t believe it is truly possible to leave it out of daily learning, as students are absorbing even this type of information in their interactions with us as educators. In this reflection paper, we will review the etymology of virtues, video lectures, research and practical application of virtues within classrooms; and the overall impact upon the student body. We will also discuss the pros and cons of character education, to provide a more balanced perspective of the subject matter.
Etymology
Encyclopedia.com reveals the etymology of “virtue” as an original Greek term derived from the root “vir” meaning “man”. It is where we also get the term “virility”. The term “virtue” was originally meant to denote “the superlative prowess of the heroic warrior” in Greek society. Eventually “virtue came to be regarded as coordinate with the laws and customs of a given community”. Greek philosophers, such as “Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle agreed that the moral character of the individual constituted a microcosm of the political character of the city”.
Videos and Research
In the video “Raising Good Children”, I was reminded [and also amazed] that our own character plays such a huge role in parenting little ones. They often repeat the things that we say and do, thus creating a mirror of our own actions – a display of our very own character flaws. The video lecturer states that it is a humbling experience to be a parent in this situation, as you must face “yourself” as reenacted by your children – a sentiment I quite agree with. However, this is true not only when parenting, but also when teaching; especially little ones. Although I no longer teach in a ground setting, it is still important that we, as educators, are consistent in our actions and words, as our students are constantly observing us.
I especially loved the Fern Creek trailer, and am fascinated with the staff’s ability to implement Conscious Discipline methods into their school. It was an amazing and ingenious triumph, and it absolutely proves that character education works. It was so inspiring to see a school with such poor behavioral tendencies and academic failure turn into a flourishing community of positivity, peace, and respect with soaring academics. Character education made the difference.
Pros and Cons
The pros of teaching character in schools include the potential for an atmosphere of change in both the classroom and the school overall. The cons include the possibility of parents and teachers not being on the same page regarding the types of values that should be included in the curriculum. What is important to the teacher may not be as important to the parent, and vice versa. Another con is that the students may not take it seriously. This is especially a concern in the pre-teen and teenage age range where students may not acquiesce to these standards for fear of peer pressure and/or bullying.
Conclusion
Despite the cons, my feelings remain constant. I am convinced that including character within the curriculum is beneficial. It sets up the student for future success both inside and outside the course room.

References

Curwin, R. (2012, April 27). Parents and Teachers: The Possibility of a Dream Team [Web log post]. Retrieved March 5th, 2015 from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/parent-teacher-collaboration-richard-curwin .

Lickona, T. (1991). Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect, and Responsibility. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

Tucker, K. (2015). Pros & Cons of Teaching Values in Schools. Retrieved March 6th, 2015 from http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/virtue.aspx .

Virtue. 2015. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 6, 2015 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue .

References: Curwin, R. (2012, April 27). Parents and Teachers: The Possibility of a Dream Team [Web log post]. Retrieved March 5th, 2015 from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/parent-teacher-collaboration-richard-curwin . Lickona, T. (1991). Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect, and Responsibility. New York, NY: Bantam Books. Tucker, K. (2015). Pros & Cons of Teaching Values in Schools. Retrieved March 6th, 2015 from http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/virtue.aspx . Virtue. 2015. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 6, 2015 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue .